QB
Brock Purdy / SF (Round 7)
The Niners went on the road, were losing four different times, and still came out on top in overtime. They, and Purdy, are getting hot at the right time and finding different ways to win games. He finished with 284 yards, a career high, on 23/35 passing and 2 touchdowns with an interception. He has thrown for 2 scores in all five of his starts.
Honorable Mention: Kenny Pickett (PIT)
RB
Kenneth Walker III/ PIT (Round 2)
Walker III had a string of games earlier in the season where he appeared to be in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year. An injury and drop off in production changed that perception but he is heating up once again. His 133 rushing yards were second most in the NFL in SEA’s big win over NYJ, keeping their playoff hopes alive. He averaged 4.74 yards after contact and had three runs of 10+ yards.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Allgeier (ATL)
WR
Treylon Burks / SEA (Round 1)
The offensive situation in TEN has ultimately led to their demise and the team will miss the postseason for the first time since 2018. While changes appear to be on the horizon, quality games like this from Burks are a huge part of their future. He finished with 4 catches for 66 yards, the second most of the season in a game for him. He also added a 20-yard carry. The versatile, big play threat is lining up all over the offense.
Honorable Mention: Tyquan Thornton (NE)
TE
Trey McBride / ARZ (Round 2)
One of the focal points of the ARZ offense down the stretch clearly revolves around McBride and getting his experience up for next year. He is going to be a major part of that passing game. He saw a season-high 10 targets and responded with 7 catches for 70 yards and his first career touchdown.
Honorable Mention: Daniel Bellinger (NYG)
OT
Evan Neal / NYG (Round 1)
Neal played one of the cleanest games of his season in a must-win for NYG. He allowed 2 pressures and continued his dominant run blocking at multiple levels of the defense. It was a solid bounce back performance after his struggles in MIN. He will be one of the most important players on this team in the postseason because of the gap between his highs and lows.
Honorable Mention: Zach Tom (GB)
OG/OC
Cole Strange / NE (Round 1)
Strange is ending the season the way he started and is making a strong case to be considered the top rookie offensive lineman in the NFL. His spot on the 2022 Ourlads All-Rookie Team is all but set in stone (which comes out in 2 weeks). He allowed just 1 pressure in the passing game and played sticky as a run blocker. He already has the look of a 10-year pro.
Honorable Mention: Luke Fortner (JAX)
EDGE
James Houston / DET (Round 6)
Something special is happening in Detroit. Houston, on just 15 pass rush snaps, recorded 3 sacks in DET’s win over CHI, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Houston, after not seeing a single snap before 12, is emerging as one of the most dangerous edge threats in the NFL. Since that first snap on November 24, he has 8 sacks on 82 opportunities. That's 1 sack every 10 snaps. The win-percentage over that time span is among the likes of Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, and Micah Parsons.
Honorable Mention: Aidan Hutchinson (DET)
DT
Jordan Davis / PHI (Round 1)
The depth along the PHI defensive line has allowed Davis to stay in the same role he was in at Georgia. Minimal, but impactful snaps. He finished with 2 tackles and more flashes of physical dominance against NO.
Honorable Mention: Travis Jones (BAL)
LB
Chad Muma / JAX (Round 3)
Muma is making a case for more and more playing time as the season goes on. He finished with 6 tackles on just 28 snaps. He is proving to be their best second level cover-man, making high-difficulty tackles on space. The Muma-Lloyd duo is going to be a major part of that defense for a long time.
Honorable Mention: Damone Clark (DAL)
CB
Sauce Gardner / NYJ (Round 1)
The absolute lock for Defensive Rookie of the Year had his best tape of his historic rookie season in SEA. He finished with 4 tackles and a season-high 4 pass break ups. He was a key part to the team holding DK Metcalf to 1 catch for 3 yards, the lowest output since week 16 of his rookie year in 2019.
Trent McDuffie (KC)
S
Jalen Pitre / HOU (Round 2)
Ever since HOU made the move to keep Pitre exclusively at free safety and keep him out of the box, his game has been taken to another level. The rangy, instinctive, and explosive pursuer had 13 tackles and did not allow a single reception. He also brought in his fifth interception of the season, his third in 5 games.
Honorable Mention: Reed Blankenship (PHI)